An Ecuadorean judge ordered pre-trial detention on October 23, 2026 for former leftist presidential candidate Luisa González following her arrest in Canuto. Prosecutors allege that González and six others laundered $500,000 in undisclosed campaign funds from Venezuela during her 2023 election run against President Daniel Noboa. González and former President Rafael Correa denied the charges, calling them political persecution aimed at neutralizing opposition before local elections.
Luisa González pre-trial detention
- ▪The judge ordered pre-trial detention for former lawmaker Santiago Díaz, who is already serving a sentence for rape, and for political leader Wendy Onofre after she voluntarily surrendered.
- ▪Former Ecuadorean presidential candidate Luisa González was arrested by authorities on October 22, 2026 in the rural town of Canuto.
- ▪An Ecuadorean judge ordered pre-trial detention on October 23, 2026 for leftist former presidential candidate Luisa González and two others during a money laundering hearing.
- ▪The judge ordered periodic court appearances, a ban on leaving Ecuador, and an electronic tracking ankle monitor for campaign treasurer coordinator Estefanía Molina.
Campaign finance money laundering probe
- ▪Ecuadorean Public Administration Secretary José Neira stated that the Attorney General's Office hypothesis points to undeclared cash entering from Venezuela to finance Luisa González's 2023 campaign.
- ▪Prosecutors stated that the investigation focuses on $500,000 in undisclosed campaign advertising funds allegedly channeled through a network of legal entities between May and August 2023.
- ▪The Ecuadorean Attorney General's Office is investigating seven people over alleged inconsistencies in contributions and the lawful source of funds during the 2023 presidential campaign.
- ▪Ecuador penal law punishes money laundering with prison terms ranging from one to 13 years.
Political persecution allegations
- ▪Luisa González and former Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa denied the money laundering accusations, characterizing the investigation and arrest as absurd political persecution.
- ▪Citizens' Revolution party head Gabriela Rivadeneira stated that Luisa González's 2023 campaign funds were fully accounted for, previously imposed electoral authority fines had been paid, and demanded González's immediate release.
- ▪Luisa González stated in a social media release that she faces 19 open cases at the Ecuadorean Attorney General's Office and pledged to continue political activity.
Citizens' Revolution party suspension
- ▪Ecuador's Electoral Contested Tribunal suspended the Citizens' Revolution party and disqualified Luisa González from registering her candidacy for local elections scheduled for November 29, 2026.
- ▪Luisa González was the runner-up to President Daniel Noboa in both the 2023 and April 2025 Ecuadorean presidential run-off elections, challenging the 2025 result as fraudulent.
Ecuador opposition crackdown
- ▪President Daniel Noboa accused the Citizens' Revolution party of conspiring to attack him following his election victories.
- ▪Former Ecuadorean Vice President Jorge Glas of the Citizens' Revolution party is serving a prison sentence for corruption.
- ▪Guayaquil Mayor Aquiles Alvarez of the Citizens' Revolution party was convicted of illegally selling subsidized fuel.
Perspective of Ecuadorean Government & Prosecutors
- ▪The Ecuadorean Attorney General's Office is investigating seven people over alleged inconsistencies in contributions and the lawful source of funds during the 2023 presidential campaign.
- ▪Prosecutors stated that the investigation focuses on $500,000 in undisclosed campaign advertising funds allegedly channeled through a network of legal entities between May and August 2023.
- ▪Ecuadorean Public Administration Secretary José Neira stated that the Attorney General's Office hypothesis points to undeclared cash entering from Venezuela to finance Luisa González's 2023 campaign.
Perspective of Citizens' Revolution Opposition
- ▪Luisa González and former Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa denied the money laundering accusations, characterizing the investigation and arrest as absurd political persecution.
- ▪Citizens' Revolution party head Gabriela Rivadeneira stated that Luisa González's 2023 campaign funds were fully accounted for, previously imposed electoral authority fines had been paid, and demanded González's immediate release.
- ▪Luisa González stated in a social media release that she faces 19 open cases at the Ecuadorean Attorney General's Office and pledged to continue political activity.
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